For those who are interested, I have put some pix on my Vanagon site
comparing three approaches to the weak taillight scenario: stock, stock plus
a stock bulb in the fog light socket and with Sylvania P21 bulbs in the
stock socket.

I also have pix of two different ways to add a high-mounted third brake
light.

http://subyjake.googlepages.com/vanagonstuff

On 9/20/07, Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net> wrote:
>
> John,
>
> What bulbs did you try for tail lights?  I installed brighter bulbs used
> in Honda's(easy access for me) last January on my daily driver and have had
> no problems that were not of my own doing.  Obviously you are in a different
> climate but I do drive with my lights on at all times and the only time I
> melted anything was when I did not properly fasten the tail light backing
> into the lens.  This allowed the bulb to touch the plastic where the bulb
> goes into the assembly melting it a little, no damage to the lens just the
> backing.  I have been thinking of doing a side by side photo comparison
> between our Westy with stock bulbs and my 7 Pass. with bright bulbs.  I will
> have to check as I may have put the same bulbs in for backup lights too, not
> that it would do any good on my daily driver as the PO tinted the rear
> window.
>
> Mark in AK
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> Date: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:03 am
> Subject: Re: Back-up lights
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > I have played around a bit with tail light bulbs to acheive a bright
> > light, but found that the brighter bulbs mean more heat, and the added
> > heat melts the plastic tail light fixture. The exception - and
> > here is
> > where you have to be careful - is the backup lights. You can put in
> > bright backup lights - Provided you use the for only a few moments
> > at a
> > time. This way - though they do heat up quickly - they don't heat
> > up so
> > quickly as to melt the plastic..So long a s you don't just leave
> > it in
> > reverse!
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > John Rodgers
> > 88 GL Driver
> >
> > Ron Johnson wrote:
> > > In addition to terrifically under-powered headlights on a
> > Vanagon, the back-up lights are also below expectation.
> > >
> > > For headlights, GoWesty seems to have a good upgrade kit - any
> > yeas or nays?
> > >
> > > For back-up light improvement, I haven't seen any Vanagon
> > specific kits. I have seen a KC Lites kit at JC Whitney (2x 55W!).
> > Any other votes in this category?
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Ron Johnson
> > > Portland, OR
> > > '91 Weekender, "Betsy"
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com